• Season
• Purchase Tickets
• Support
• Auditions
• Playwrights Festival
• Calendar
• Directions
• News & Notes
• Who We Are
• Our History
• Contact Us

Our Happy New Year Is Now... Curtain Up on Season 48!

Happy New Year!

No, we've not fast forwarded to January 1, although the summer days fly by. (What happened to lazy and hazy?) It is a new year at the Harlem Road playhouse. Curtain Players is about to begin Season 48, and the wish for our "community in theatre" in 2010-2011 is that it be even more vital and engaging than ever.

The playhouse is buzzing. Neil Simon's comedy THE SUNSHINE BOYS opens Friday, September 10, with director Michael Fusco at the helm. The October show, COMMUNICATING DOORS, is beginning to take shape under the direction of Jason Hugh Smith. Auditions for OUR TOWN, the holiday season offering, are Sunday evening, August 29. Director Jill Taylor is ready to welcome hopefuls seeking roles in Curtain's innovative production of an American classic.

The Curtain Players leadership team, too, is busy. We are making changes to create a more meaningful Curtain experience, whether you come to this community as an actor, audience member, technician, project volunteer, supporter, or perhaps, all of the above.

Among the new year highlights (in alphabetical order):

• Annual Fund Drive: Our very successful campaign last winter and spring to raise money for hot water and improved emergency exits at the playhouse has encouraged us to create an annual fund drive that will launch with every new season. Buoyed by the overwhelming support of our generous donors, we hope to build a strong year-to-year funding base, a fiscal foundation for Curtain's continued existence. And with the promise to use money raise for designated projects that improve the playhouse — our community home — we believe this is the most responsible way to raise money for our organization. Details for the 2010-2011 annual fund are coming very soon.
• Auditions: We asked our actors what we could do to improve our auditions, and we listened. A new partnership with Gallery 202 in Uptown Westerville provides a more convenient venue. Scheduling only one evening for auditions streamlines the process. Auditions now are scheduled further in advance, 12 weeks before opening night. Script review sessions allow advance opportunities to become familiar with the plays and the process with the directors.
• Curtain Panels: With such positive feedback about our occasional talkback sessions with recent productions and the playwrights festivals, we decided to offer at least one post-performance conversation during each production this season. We're calling them CURTAIN PANELS, pardon the pun.
• Database: We are building a new centralized database so we can be sure you know well of productions, ways you may support the theatre, and opportunities to share your time and talents at the playhouse.
• Online Ticket Purchases: For the first time ever, Curtain Players patrons will be able to purchase their tickets online in advance and with a credit card. We will be able to handle credit card purchases at the lobby ticket table, too. This is a major advancement for us, making our box office operations easier and more efficient for us and more importantly, for you.
• Weekly E-mail 'Blasts': This summertime experiment has been well received. Every Wednesday we 'blast' the most timely news items and announcements to hundreds on our e-mail list. People have come to look forward to this regularly scheduled dispatch, easily found in their e-mailbox.

And we have begun planning for a major musical production, although it will not be staged until April 2012. Curtain Players has secured performance rights to present TITANIC to mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary maritime tragedy. This production, possibly enhanced with ancillary programming, will require much work and creative thought now, in this new year.

This 48th Curtain Players season has barely begun, and there is palpable excitement and anticipation for what is ahead. The goal is to maintain the "holiday" spirit as we note our each and every success. Let's work together to be sure you are participating fully in your "community in theatre."